The CAD History
The history of CAD and its evolution over time
CAD (Computer Aided Design) is constantly evolving and continues to provide new design, modelling and 3D printing solutions for complex projects. The emergence of new technologies has been a real springboard in the history of the evolution of computer-aided design, and recent innovations have led to their popularisation. In this article, discover the origins of CAD and its emergence in recent years, as well as its prospects for evolution.
Before the CAD
The beginning of traditional technical design dates back to the 19th and 20th centuries.
Although it underwent a number of developments, notably the blueprint method used in the20th century, it had its limits. The arrival of computer systems considerably simplified thework of engineers, for whom design, modelling and manufacturing had never been done on a computer before. Traditional methods were overtaken in the 1950s by 2 great names, precursors of the CAD:
● Firstly, Patrick J. Hanratty, developer of the historic PRONTO software (Program for Numerical Tooling Operations), the first commercial numerically controlled programming system.
● Secondly, Ivan Sutherland, developer of Sketchpad, the big brother of CAD software.
The origins of the CAD
The beginning of CAD dates back to the 1950s, defined as a tool for the digital design and manufacture of products. These early computer-aided design systems were used primarily to control machines digitally. They have radically transformed the work around the process of creating and using models and drawings in the field of engineering.
The design systems and tools that have emerged over the years have continued to revolutionise the modelling and creation of industrial parts. Originally, CAD software was used to create drawings based on geometric modelling. AutoCAD was one of the first software programs to provide such computer assistance. The first features were the modelling of objects in relief using lines, shapes, and curves to represent surfaces in geometry.
The rise of CAD
After its beginnings, CAD began to make a serious place in the world of industrial design, revolutionising the design process and all the manufacturing and printing that followed. Along with the development of IT, pioneering software emerged in the 1980s and 1990s. The software offered new tools that enabled detailed work around the designed product:
- Parametric modelling, enabling designers to create models with customisable parameters and assembly elements.
- Visualisation and simulation of 3D models, to simulate movements, test assemblies and visualise a drawing in the form of a realistic rendering.
- Data management, file organisation and access to version history.
- Creation of bill of materials.
- Export of technical drawings in DWG or DXF format: useful for modifying a dimension shape for example.
- Integration with other systems such as CAM or PLM software.
The advent of 3D printing has added to the advantages of CAD. The most modern software allows a precise modelling of complex 3D architecture to then export files in STL format for 3D printing.
Simplified access to the computer: the expansion of CAD and its entry into industry.
In the 1980s, the first laptops came onto the market at an affordable price. The availability of computers in companies and universities for training in new digital tools has popularised computer-aided design software.
A decade later, the mechanical, architectural and industrial sectors achieved their design only through CAD systems, therefore becoming a must-have in the world of 3D drawing and modelling. All companies that require meticulous work and methods are now using this type of software. Over the years, software interfaces have become increasingly intuitive. It was during this decade that software suites such as Siemens NX, SolidEdge, Autodesk, Solidworks and Catia emerged, making studio work more efficient.
The first sector to adopt new computer-aided design techniques & methods was the aerospace industry for its complex parts and surfaces. Subsequently, the automotive industry took over the software and helped CAD systems evolve even further: the advanced problems faced by bodywork designers created needs and led to development.
The latest innovations and the future of CAD
Today, CAD software is specialised in a wide range of industries: aerospace, defence, construction, automobile, transport, shipbuilding, and, more surprisingly, music !
Software such as NX now takes customer needs into account to offer new tools that are frequently updated to continue to meet the emerging needs of industries. Artificial intelligence is now used to automatically optimise the design process thanks to machine learning.
AI also enables data management and topological optimisation, while virtual reality transforms the visualisation and simulation experience, strong tools of CAD. CAD software and tools evolve together with industry, defining emerging trends in digital modelling.
In conclusion, CAD has undergone constant and flagrant evolution since the 1950s, and promises even more productive and interesting innovations in the years to come. Once simple geometric and parametric modelling software, CAD software now includes advanced design tools whose functions are revolutionising the model in which construction and manufacturing are done today. It offers the possibility of creating technical drawings efficiently and accurately, in the fields of industry and architecture, as well as music and video games